भूतहरूमाथि ब्राह्मणहरूको श्रेष्ठता

Bhishma said Thus addressed, Arjuna remained silent. The god of wind once more addressed him, saying, Hear me, O foremost one of the Haihayas, as I describe to you the achicvement of the great Atri.

Once on a time as the gods and Danavas were fighting each other in the dark, Rahu pierced both the Sun and Moon with his arrows.

The gods, overwhelmed by darkness, began to fall before the powerful Danavas, O foremost of kings.

Repeatedly struck by the Asuras, the celestials began to lose their strength. They then saw the learned Brahmana Atri, having penances for wealth, engaged in in the observance of austerities. Addressing that Rishi who had all his senses and in whom anger had been extinguished, they said, Sce, O Rishi, these two, viz., the Moon and the Sun who have both been pierced by the Asuras with their arrows.

On account of this, darkness has overtaken us, and we are being struck down by the enemy. We do not see the end of our troubles. Do you, O lord of great power, rescue us from this great fear.

The Rishi said How, indeed, shall I protect you? They answered, saying, Do you become the Moon. Do you also become the Sun, and do you begini to kill these robbers.

Thus begged by them, Atri assumed the form of the darknessdestroying Moon. Indeed, on account of his agreeable disposition, he began to look as beautiful and delightful as the Moon himself.

Seeing that the real Moon and the real Sun had become darkened by the arrows of the enemy, Atri, assuming the forms of those luminaries, began to shine forth over the field of battle, helped by the power of his penances.

Indeed, Atri made the universe shine in light, removing all its darkness. By displaying his power, he also subjugated, the vast multitudes of those enemies of the celestials.

Seeing those great Asuras burnt by Atri, the gods also, protected by Atri's energy, began to despatch them quickly.

Displaying his prowess and collecting all his energy, it was thus that Atri illumined the god of day, rescued the celestials, and killed the Asuras.

This was the feat that twice born one, helped by his sacred fire, that silent reciter of Mantras, that one clad in deerskins, performed! See, O royal sage, the act achieved by that Rishi who lived upon fruits only.

I have thus described to you, in full, the feat of the great Atri. Shail I go on? Or, will you say anything? Is there a Kshatriya who is superior to this twiceborn Rishi?

Thus addressed, Arjuna remained silent. The god of wind once more spoke to him. Hear, O king, the feat achieved by the great Chyavana.

Having made his promise to the twin Ashvins, Chyavana addressed the chastiser of Paka, saying, Do you make the Ashvins drinkers of Soma with all the other celestials.

Indra said The Ashvins have been outcasted by us. How, then, can these be admitted into the sacrificial circle for drinking Soma with the others? They are not classed with the celestials. Do not, therefore, tell us so.

O you of great vows, we do not wish to drink Soma in the company of the Ashvins! Whatever other commands you may be pleased to utter, O learned Brahmana, we are ready to do.

Chyavana said The twin Ashvins shall drink Soma with all of you. Both of them are gods, O king of the celestials, for they are the sons of the Sun.

Let the gods do what I have said. By acting according to those words, the gods will reap great advantage. By acting otherwise evil will overtake them.

Indra said I shall not, O foremost of twiceborn persons, drink Soma with the Ashvins. Let others drink with them as they please. As for mysclf, I dare not do it.

Chyavana said If, O destroyer of Vala, you will not obey my words, you shall, this very day, drink Soma with them in sacrifice, compelled by me.

The god of wind said Then Chyavana, taking the Ashvins with him, began a great religious rite for their bencfit. The gods all became stupefied by Chyavana with the help of his Mantras.

Seeing that feat undertaken by Chyavana, Indra became enraged. Taking up a huge mountain he ran against that Rishi.

The king of the deities was also armed with the Thunderbolt. Then the illustrious Chyavana, gifted with penances, cast angry looks upon Indra as he advanced.

Throwing a little water at him, he paralysed the king of the deities with his Thunderbolt and mountain. As the result of the religious rite he had begun, he created a terrible Asura hostile to Indra.

Made of the libations he had poured on the sacred fire, that Asura was called Mada, of mouth gaping wide. Such was the Asura that the great ascetic created with the help of Mantras. There were a thousand teeth in his mouth, extending for a hundred Yojanas.

Of terrible appearance, his fangs were two hundred Yojanas in length. One of his cheeks rested on the Earth and the other touched the sky.

Indeed, all the gods with Vasava seemed to stand at the root of that great Asura's tongue, as fishes when they enter into the wide open mouth of a leviathan.

While standing within the mouth of Mada, the gods consulted speedily and then addressing Indra, said, Do you soon bend your head in respect to this twiceborn personage.

We shall without any hesitation drink Soma with the Ashvins in our company. Then bowing down his head to Chyavana, Shakra obeyed his command.

Thus did Chyavana make the Ashvins drinkers of Soma with the other gods. Calling back Mada, the Rishi then assigned him his work.

Soma was ordered to live in dice, in hunting, in drinking, and in women. Hence, O king, those men who betake themselves to these, forsooth, incet with destruction.

Hence, one should always renounce these faults to a great distance. Thus, O king, I have described to you thc fcat achieved by Chyavana. Shall I go on? Or, will you say anything in reply? Is there a Kshatriya who is higher than the Brahmana Chyavana?